Kara Chavez

Kara grew up just outside of Oakland, California and started going to local shows in 1999. She grew up volunteering at 924 Gilman St. in Berkeley California, booked shows all over the bay area, and worked a few shifts at Mission Records in San Francisco before shutting its doors forever.

Music has been her greatest hobby. She has played bass in several bands, but is currently focusing on going to live shows as well as reviewing shows and records for Ech(((o)))es and Dust.

She recently moved to Austin Texas – America’s live music capital of the world. She is currently focused on her band Black Vice and helping with Red River Family Records Fest year II.

This album has sound bite samples that make you think, head bang worthy drum beats, circle pit break downs, and heavy guitar riffs that make Better Off Dead a great hardcore album of 2014. – By Kara Hinman

Emotional breakdowns, gloomy guitar ripples in the background, and awesome drone parts that are even on the edge of melodic post-hardcore. De Verste Verte is Hier is definitely a contender of mine for best black metal release of 2014. – By Kara Hinman

There are heavy points that draw raw emotion and great amount of musicality that carefully brings everything together for one amazing 3 way split from this European post-hardcore (and beyond) trio of bands. – By Kara Hinman

This is a solid record. If you are into heavier death metal, war metal, war in general (and are interesting in hearing it from a band’s perspective), check out Descent Into Genocide. You won’t be disappointed. – Kara Hinman

Dageraad is a slow, heavy, deep, emotional, screamy, vibrant album. I would most certainly check it out. It could be a contender for my favorite album of 2014, especially for this genre. – By Kara Hinman

When I first heard this album, I didn’t get it. I didn’t think it was black metal (not sure if I would still call it that…maybe grey metal. Is that a thing?). There are angelic vocals that are the forefront of the album and gives it a very feminine vibe. It’s not something that you hear every day. So, it took a good listen for me to get into it. I would like to hear a bit faster, black metal incorporated into the album. I think it would make it a solid album. – By Kara Hinman